Circuit-controller.



H. A. STEEN. CIRCUIT CONTROLLER. APPLICATloNF1LED1UL1'25.1914.

T E E H A s T E E H s 2 H. STEEN. CIRCUIT CONTROLLER. APPLlcATloN F1LED1ULY 25.1914.

Paiend sept. 24,1918.4

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 24, 191s.

Application filed .Tuly 25, 1914. Serial No. 853,163.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HALFDAN A. STEEN, a subject of the King of Norway, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Circuit- Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to apparatus for completing and interrupting electrical circuits, and has particular relation to 'apparatus of this class used for controlling motors and of such construction as to eliminate the danger of arcs, formed on the interruption of the circuit, being communicated to surrounding objects or to the atmosphere which may contain particles of an inflammable or explosive nature.

It is an ob] ect of this invention to provide a circuit-controlling apparatus of improved construction, which is comparatively simple in design and eltcient in operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an inclosed circuit-controlling apparatus of improved construction in which the active xed and movable circuit-breaking parts are capable of being readily removed from the inclosing receptacle for inspection and repairs.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a circuit-controlling apparatus of improved construction, which is capable of either manual operation or of being operated automatically in response to certain conditions of the circuit to be controlled.

These and other objects are attained by this invention, the various novel features of which will appear from the description and drawings, disclosing one embodiment of such invention, and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a circuitcontrolling apparatus 'embodying this invention, with the parts shown in such position as to complete the circuit, the section being taken on the line 1-1 of Fig.v 3.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the parts being shown in circuit-interrupting position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. el is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections between a supply line and a translating device and the operative parts of a circuit-controlling apparatus,

. held in place against `the on the bolts 16, and the portions 14.- are held embodying features of this invention, connected to the line to control the translating evice.

As shownin the drawings, a receptacle Il is provided with a lining of insulating material 5 and a removable cover portion 6, here shown as of arched cross-section. On shouldered portions 7, 8 formed at intermediate portions of the side walls of the receptacle, are supported bars 9, preferably of insulating material, which are secured in position by bolts l0 threaded into portions of the receptacle.

Terminal contacts 12, U-shape, having spaced horizontal portions 13, 14 and a vertically disposed connecting portion 15, are mounted on the bars 9, as by means of bolts 16 passing through -the bars and the horizontal portions 13 of the contacts, the heads ofthe bolts being disposed beneath the bar. The contacts are bars by nuts 17 spaced from the portions 13 by sleeves 18, preferably of conducting material, disposed on the bolts 16 between the nuts 17 and the portions 14. Extending portions 21 on the parts 14 are bent up and over parallel to the portions let4 and in spaced relation thereto, so that the 'end portions Vof line terminals 23 may be received between the parts 14 and 21. Nuts 24 on the bolts 16 hold the line terminals and contacts 12 in position, with the horizontally disposed portions thereof properly spaced apart.

The side walls of the receptacle 4 are provided with openings in vwhich are inserted insulated bushings 27 of a size to snugly embrace lexible connections to the line terminals 23. In the type vot' switch shown, three contacts 12 are disposed in alinement on each side of the receptacle, each contact on one side being arranged opposite a corresponding cont-act on the other side.

Mounted on the cover portion 6 are a plurality of spaced rods 32, these rods being shown as secured to the cover by having one end secured in openings in integral extensions 28 from the cover, being secured therein, as by pins 29. rods are secured at to the parts 34, being preferably threaded thereinto. These parts 34 are held spaced apart by means of a block or plate 36, preferably of insulating material, the rods passing through openings in the of approximately lower side of the plate,

plate and the latter resting on the ends of the parts 34, which are connected to such rods. The plate 36 is held in position on the rods 32, as by nuts 37 and washers 38. Mounted on the upper side of the plate 36, along the edges thereof, and spaced apart the saine distance as the contacts 12 on the bars 9, are a plurality of contacts 41, each having avertically disposed U-shaped portion 42 opening downward, and a horizontally ldisposed portion 43. The contacts are held in .position on the plate 36 by bolts 44, the heads 45 of which are disposed on the nuts 46 on the upper side of the plate engaging the portions 43 of the contacts 41. Mounted on the plate 36 and in engagement with the contacts 42, are contacts 48. These latter contacts may be held in position by the bolts 44 which pass through horizontally disposed portions of these contacts, the same being preferably disposed between the horizontal portions l43 of the contacts 41 and the plate 36. A substantially vertically disposedportion of each contact 48 has a contact tip 51 mounted thereon at its lower end. It will be apparent that pairs of contact tips 51 are disposed in alinement at opposite sides of the plate 36, in the same way as are 41 on the upper side of the plate 36. Each lop'positely disposed pair of contact tips 51 are adapted to engage contacts 53 disposed on opposite sides of a drum 54 and connected together, the drum being mounted for rotation beneath the plate 36., as through trunnions 55, integr Al with or secured to the parts 34 and acting as bearings for socketed end portions 56 ot the drum.

The contacts 41 and 48 are preferably of resilient material, the outer leg of the U portion of each contact 41 being biased outward away from the plate 36, and the contacts 48 being biased inward toward the'center of said plate and the drum, and being limited in such inward movement by stops 56, preferably of spring metal and suitably held in position as by being secured between the head 45 of the bolt 44 and the plate 36. The parts are so designed that when the drum contacts are moved into circuit-closed position, the contacts 48 are moved outward against their normal bias, this inherent resiliency of these contacts causing good engagement between the same and the contacts 53 on the drum.

When the cover 6 is in .place on the receptacle, the contacts 41 are in engagement with the respective corresponding contacts 12 along their vertically disposed portions, the resiliency of the contacts 41 assuring a good electrical connection. It will be obvious that, by actuating the drum, the contacts thereon may be so moved as to complete the circuit between oppositely disposed line terminals 23, this circuit being completed the pairs of contacts through contacts 12, contacts 41, contacts 48, contact tips 51 and drum contacts 53.

Mounted for rotation in the cover portion 6, as by being suitably disposed in bearings in the portions 28, is an operating sha-ft 58 extending through an opening in the cover, or through matched openings in the cover and body portion of the receptacle, to the outside thereof. A sleeve 59 is loosely mounted on the shaft 58, being here shown as disposed partly within the receptacle and partly outside thereof and having hub portions 61 and 62 adjacent the side Wall of the receptacle to efficiently close the opening through the same. Integral with or secured to this sleeve is an arm 63, here shown as being disposed outside of the casing. An actuating arm 64 is secured to the shaft 58, and a tension spring 65 connects this arm with the arm 63, this spring tending to draw thel arms 63 and 64 together. Stops 67 and 68, disposed on the outside of. the casing, limit the movement of the arm 63. The spring 65 is so disposed on the arms 63 and 64 that the arm 63 is held against rotation until the arm 64 has been so moved that the line joining the attaching points of the spring 65 has passed from one side of the axis of the shaft 58 to the other side, at which time the tension of the spring 65 causes a quick movement of the arm 63 in the desired direction.

An arm 71 is mounted to rotate with the shafft 58, and an end portion thereof, in one position, engages behind a roller 72 pivoted at the end portion of a latching lever 7 3. This lever may be so held as to maintain the arm 71 and shaft 58 in a certain operative position. The lever 73 is pivoted at 74 to the cover portion 6.

Also mounted on the cover portion 6 is a magnet 76 comprising a U-shaped core 77, one leg 78 of which passes through theJ electromagnet, the other leg 79 being disposed parallel thereto and outside of the magnet w1nd1ng,.and a cross piece 81 secured to a shoulder portion 82 of the casing by screws or bolts 83. Fixed on the 'same pivot 74 as the lever 73 is an arm 85 carrying, at its end portion, an armature 86 for the magnet 76. This armature and also the latching roller 72 on the lever 73, through its connection therewith, are normally held away from the magnet core and the end of the arm 71, respectively, by a spring'87, secured at one end to the arm 85 and at the other end to a portion of the cover 6.'

Integral with the lever 73 or attached to the pivot 74, is an arm 88 having a linger portion 89 extending through an opening 9 0 in the cover portion 6. This finger portion 89 may be operated `to move the armature 86 away from the core of the magnet 76 and to move the latching roller 72 out of engagement with the end of the arm 71.

. ment of the rod back A spring 91, secured to the shaft 58, or a 'part attached thereto, and to a fixed portion of the casing, here shown as being attached at one end to the integral projection 28 on the cover and at the other end to the arm 71, serves to oppose movement of the actuating arm 64 in one direction; and, when the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1 wherev the end of the arni 7l engages behind the latching roller 72, this spring 91 serves to return the shaft 58 to normal osition if the arm 71 is released from the atching roller 72. Of course, the spring 91 is of greater power than the spring 65, in order to effect this operation of the switch mechanism. Integral with or secured to the sleeve 59, is an arm 93, the end of which is preferably of forked construction and is pivotally secured to one end of'a rod 94, the other end of the rod being secured to an eccentric pivot 95 on the end of thedrum 54. It will be obvious that when the arm 63 is actuated, the bridging contacts 53 on the drum will be moved into or out of engagement with the contact tips 51.

An operatingrod 96 is secured to the end of the arm 64, the preferable connection being through a pin 97 on the arm 64-movable in an elongated slot 98 of the operating rod. A spring 99, secured at one end to the rod 96 and at the other end to the cover 6, serves to draw the rod 94 back to initial position when the switch mechanism is operated and the rod 94 is relieved the slot 98 being of of actuating pressure, such dimensions as to permit such moveto initial position without actuating the arm 64. With this construction, it will be apparent that, with the switch in the position shown in Fig. l, when the arm 71 is released from the latching roller 72, the spring 91 is capable of operating the shaft 58 and arm 64 to such position as permits the spring 65 to return the drum contacts to initial position.

In the diagram shown in Fig. 4, a translating device M, here shown as a motor, is connected to the supply line a, c, through the intermediary of a controlling device embodying this invention. The circuit of the magnet 76 is shown as being connected across one phase of the supply circuit through a manually operated switch 101 and an electromagnetically operated switch 102, when the motor circuit is connected to the line a, I), c. The switch 102 is operated by a coil 1 03 'either directly in the circuit a, b, c, or supplied with energy therefrom through a series transformer 104, as shown. It will be obvious that, if the contacts of the main switch are in closed position, being held therein by engagement of the end of the arm 7l behind the latching roller 72, the switch may be actuated to cause a return to a fixed part, asv

1 spring initial position, either by operation of thel roller 72 is such that, although the latch is sufficient/to normally hold less, when sufficient force is applied to the operating rod 96, the arm 71 can be drawn out of engagement with the roller 72, this arm 71, nevertheforce being suicient to overcome the attraction between the parts of the magnet 76.

he circuit of. the magnet 76 is preferably connected across a phase of the supply circuit at the contacts 41 on the plate 36. Vith such connections, it will be obvious that the magnet 76 and its connections are wholly independent of any vof the fixed connections from the supply line or the motor. While the hand-operated switch 101 and the electromagnetically operated switch 102 are not shown as part of the structural disclosure of Fi 1, 2,'3 it will be obvious that these switc es may, be suitably disposed and attached to the cover portion 6, eitherrin'side or outside of the same, and that the operating magnet 103 of the switch 102 may be suitably connected to the proper contacts 41 on the plate 36, so as to permit simultaneous removal of the switches and the connecting means between the same and the circuits that they control.

he casing 4 is provided with an angular bracket 106, through which the same may be suitably supported on a wall or with the operating parts 65 clear of the supporting structure. The cover 6 is provided with a downwardly projecting lip 107 about its lower edge to protect against the entrance of moisture. A drain-opening 108, normally closed by a suitable plug, may be provided at the bottom of the casing 4.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, the circuit is open bet-Ween the line a., c and the motor M. To put the motor into operation, the actuating rod 96 is moved to the left, the right hand end of the slot 98 engaging with. the pin 97 on the arm 64 and causing anti-clockwise movement thereof. When this arm has been moved to suchan extent that the line between the points of attachment of the spring 65 to the arms 63 and 64 passes beyond thecenter of the shaft 58, the spring 65 being under considerable tension at this time, the arm 63 is quickly moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, being limited in such movement by engagement thereof with the stop y68. Movement of the arm 63 causes the actuation of the drinn 54, through the sleeve 59, arm 93 and connecting rod 94, to cause the bridging post,- l 63, 64 and the soy contacts 53 to engage with the contact tips 51. The circuit between the line a, b, c and the motor M is now closed, the connection being through line terminals Q3, contacts 12, contacts 41, contacts 48 and 51, and bridging contacts 53 of the drum.

lVhen the arm 63 is operated lby the spring 65, the arm 64 is also drawn to its limit of movement, as shown in Fig. 1, movement of the arm in this direction being limited eitliei1 by engagement with the right hand end of the slot 97 in the rod 96, the latter being drawn back to initial position as soon as it is relieved of actuating pressure, oi' by engagement with a fixed stop, not shown; or again, this movement might be limited by the action of the spring 65 which may be so designed that movement beyond the position shown in Fig. 1 would act to compress the spring,

The motor circuit may be interrupted by actuation of the rod 96, if sufficient force is applied thereto to cause the release of the arm 71 from the latching roller 72, or by the release of this latch through the finger piece 89, permitting the spring 91 to return the parts to initial position. It will be obvious that, as soon as the motor circuit is completed at the drum contacts, the magnet 76 is energized, causing the attraction of the armature 86 and the movement of the latch roller 72 to a position to retain the arm 71. The magnet may be denergized by opening the circuit thereof at the switch 101 or at the switch 102, on the occurrence of an overload on t-he circuit, or on the occurrence of low voltage on the line, permitting the spring 87 to withdraw the armature 86 and the latching roller 7 2 from the path of the arm 71, and permitting the spring 91 to return the contact parts to initial, circuit-open position.

When the switch parts are to be inspected, the cover t and its attached operating mechanism are lifted bodily from the receptacle 4, these parts being then wholly exposed and readily accessible for inspection or repairs. It will be obvious that all the operating parts of the controller are so attached to the removable part of the casing as to permit free inspection.

It should be understood that it is not desired to be limited to construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a cont-rolling apparatus, a receptacle, terminal contacts mounted therein. a cover for said receptacle, a removable switch unit comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts mounted on said cover and actuating mechanism for said contacts, said relatively fixed contacts being engageable with said matically operable means the exact details of terminal contacts, means for operating said actuating mechanism, and additional means for effecting the automatic operation of said actuating mechanism.

Q. In combination, a receptacle, a cover therefor, a switch unit mounted on said cover and depending in said receptacle when said cover is in place thereon, manually operable means for actuating said switch to closed or open position, means associated with said actuating means for biasing said switch to open position, latch means comprising an element mounted on the inner side of said cover for holding said switch in closed position, an electromagiiet mounted on said cover on the inner side thereof and effective on sufficient energization thereof to maintain said latch in position to hold said switch in closed position, said latch being tripped on insufficient energization of said magnet, and manually operable means for effecting the tripping of said latch.

3. In a controlling device, a stationary receptacle, a removable cover therefor, a switch unit mounted on said cover and disposed in said receptacle when said cover is in place thereon, manually operable means for actuating said switch to closed or open position, means associated with said actuating means Afor biasing said switch to open position,

latch means including an element pivotally mounted on the inner side of said cover and operative to retain said switch in closed por sition, and a plurality of means for effecting the tripping of said latch to permit said switch to return to open position.

4. In a controller, fixed and movable cont-acts, an operating shaft, anactuating arm fixed to said shaft, a member loose on said shaft and cooperating with said movable contact to actuate the same,A a spring connection between said actuating arm and said member for operating said actuating arm with a snap action in either direction when moved beyond a certain position, a spring opposing the movement of said shaft in one direction and capable of moving said shaft in an opposite direction, latch means for holding said shaft in a certain position against the action of said spring, and autofor tripping said latch.

5. In combination iii a controller, fixed and ino 'able contacts, an operating shaft, an actuating arm fixed to said shaft, a member loose on said shaft and coperating with said movable contact to actuate the same, a spring connection between said actuating arm and said member whereby the movable contact is operated with a snap action when the actuating arm is moved beyond a certain position, a spring for opposing the movement of said shaft in one direction, and latch means for holding said shaft in a certain position against the action of said spring, said latter spring being more powerful than the spring associated with said actuating arm and said member whereby said movable contact is movable to open position when said latch is tripped, and manually and automatically operable means for -tripping said latch.

6. In a 1controlling device, a receptacle provided with a cover, stationary terminal contacts mounted in said receptacle, switch mechanism comprising relatively fixed and resiliently supported contacts and movable contacts and actuating mechanism therefor removable as a unit from said receptacle, the relatively fixed contacts being capable of limited` movement and having portions engageable with said terminal contacts, and means for limiting the movement of said relatively fixed contacts, manually operable means for effecting the operation of said actuating mechanism, and automatically operable means for effecting the operation of. such mechanism.

7. In a controlling device, a receptacle provided with a cover, stationary terminal contacts mounted in said receptacle, each of said terminal contacts comprising parallel spaced portions and a vertically disposed connecting portion, switch mechanism comprising relatively fixed and movable contacts and actuating mechanism therefor removable as a unit from said receptacle, contact means associated with said relatively fixed contacts and having vertically disposed spring portions for engagement with the vertically disposed portions of the terminal contacts, and automatically operable means for effecting the operation of the actuating mechanism.

8. In a controlling apparatus, a receptacle, a removable cover therefor, a switch unit in said receptacle and comprising fixed and movable contacts and actuating mechanism therefor, said switch unit being held in place on said cover and removable therewith, means for manually operating said actuating mechanism, and means for accomplishing the automatic operation of said actuating mechanism comprising anv electromagnet held in place on the inner side of said cover.

9. In a controlling apparatus, a stationary receptacle, a removable cover therefor, line terminals entering said receptacle independently of said cover, a switch unit mounted on said cover and depending therefrom into the receptacle and operatively associated with said line terminals when the cover is in place thereon, manually operable means for actuating said switch to closed or open position, and automatic means for effecting the operation of said switch to open position independently'of a portion of said manually operable means.

10. In a circuit breaking apparatus, a receptacle, a removable cover therefor, line terminals entering said receptacle independently of said cover, terminal contacts connected to said line terminals, a switch unit comprising fixed and movable contacts and actuating mechanism therefor mounted on said cover, said fixed contacts operatively engaging said terminal contacts when said cover is in place on said receptacle, means for effecting the manual operation of said switch actuating mechanism, and means for effecting the automatic operation of said actuating mechanism.

11. In a controlling apparatus, an inclosing casing comprising a receptacle-forming body portion and a cover for said body portion, a switch unit comprising fixed and movable contacts mounted on said cover and depending in said body portion when said cover is in place, manually operable means for actuating the movable contact of said switch, means for biasing said switch to one position, and means operative to retain said switch in another position and comprising a latch, and an electromagnet for operating said latch, said electromagnet and said latch being mounted within said inclosure.

12. In a controlling apparatus, ing casing comprising a receptacle-forming body portion and a cover therefor, a switch unit comprising fixed and movable contacts mounted on said cover, said switch to one position, means operative to actuate said switch against its bias, latch means for retaining said switch in a position other than biased position, tripping means for said latch located within said inclosure, said actuating means extending to the outer side of said inclosure when said cover is in place thereon and comprising a movable member and an operating rod therefor biased to one position, and an impositive connection between said member and said rod whereby said rod is permitted to occupy substantially the same position independently of the position of said operating member and the condition of said switch.

13. In a circuit breaking apparatus, a re-l ceptacle, a cover therefor, line terminals entering said receptacle independently of said cover, terminal contacts connected to said line terminals, a switch unit removably mounted within said receptacle and comprising fixed and movable contacts and actuating mechanism therefor, said fixed contacts operatively engaging said terminal contacts when said switch unit is in operative position within said receptacle, means for effecting the manual operation of' said switch actuating mechanism, and means for effecting the automatic operation of said actuating mechanism;

14. In a controlling apparatus, an inclosing casing, a switch unit removably mounted within said casing and comprising relatively fixed and movable coperative conan inclos-v 10 and comprising tacts, means for biasing said switch to one position, means operative to actuate said switch against its bias, latch means for retaining said switch in a position other than 5 biased position, tripping means for said latch located within said inclosure, said actuating means extending to the outer side of said inclosure when said switch mechanism is in operative position within said inclosure a movable member and an. Operating rod therefor biased to one position, and an impositive connection between said member and said rod whereby said rod is permitted to occupy substantially the same position independently of the position of 15 said operating member and the condition of said switch.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aixed hereto in the presence of two witnesses.

HALFDAN A. STEEN.

Witnesses:

W. H. LIEBER, J. J. KANE. 

